Maritzburg’s Powerful Forward
Yakubu Mohammed showed signs of being a quality striker in his first PSL game for Maritzburg United. The Ghanaian joined the KZN side in the off-season, following some speculation about his future. The bulky player had a medical with Orlando Pirates before signing with the Team of Choice. In this interview with Sabie Chili, Mohammed talks about Pirates and his move to Maritzburg. He also tells us that he’s on a mission to score goals for Clinton Larsen’s team.
Personal Information
Full names: Yakubu Mohammed
Date of birth: 1 December 1990
Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
Nickname: Yak
Position: Striker
Club: Maritzburg United
Previous Clubs:
Ashanti Gold (Ghana)
Honours:
none
Firstly, it didn’t seem to have taken you long to adjust to the team.
Yeah. But the humidity and the weather in Ghana compared to here are very different, although I can`t complain. The technical staff and the players are taking care of me.
How did your move to Maritzburg come about?
I was spotted by Ernst Middendorp way back in March this year, while playing in the Premier League in Ghana. But I had to keep my focus because I had games to play for my club in Ghana. I had the opportunity to come here after the league ended. The club showed that they wanted to sign me and that was it. Coach Middendorp is best friends with Maxwell Konadu, who is the national team’s assistant coach. He talked to him and then he watched me play.
You were also linked with a move to Orlando Pirates before signing with Maritzburg. What happened there?
I was told I had to go there for the medical and went back to Ghana to play in a qualifying game for the local team of the Black Stars. I didn`t hear anything from Pirates after that. I then decided to make a choice and I signed for Maritzburg United.
Did you have any training session with Pirates?
It was just a 20 minute jog around the field and that was it. The humidity and the different weather conditions affected me. It was very cold there. I was called inside and I did my medical. I went back to Ghana to do some recovery work and stuff like that.
Did you pass the medical with Pirates?
Yes, because the doctors there told me that I am very strong, they said I have no problem.
What did Rodger De Sa say to you?
He wasn`t around. Look, for now, I am a Maritzburg United player and what is more important for me at this moment is to concentrate on the club I play for. I want to concentrate on my future with Maritzburg.
Have you set yourself a target of how many goals you want to score in your first season in the PSL?
Every striker will always try to set the target. But I don`t want to put pressure on myself in my first season in the PSL. I am trying to take it easy and make sure that I use every opportunity I have to get a goal. I will try my best with every opportunity. I will try to score goals for the club and see how I finish the season. I will take it from there and then prepare for next season and see what target I will set for myself.
Okay, what type of a striker are you?
I am very mobile and I can play in any coach`s system. I would describe myself as an all-rounder. I always make sure that I deliver on whatever instruction I am given. I`m a young guy who has come here to try and work hard with the players around me.
There`s a perception that you have been signed as a replacement for Cuthbert Malajila, the team`s top goal scorer last season. Is that what you have been told?
No. my management and the coach told me that I am still young and that they don`t want to put pressure on me. They want me to do what I know.
Did you follow the PSL before your move to Maritzburg?
Yeah, in Ghana we do follow the PSL. We watched some of the games on DSTV quite often.
Thank you for your time. Yak, and all the best this season.
Thanks man for the opportunity.